Boy did the Quakers show up to put on a show with the alumni in town for homecoming! Making sure the packed barn at the Class of 1923 Arena got their money’s worth the team rolled West Chester defeating them 8-3. In what seems to be a theme for this Quakers team they once again managed to get out early scoring two goals in less than five minutes into the first period to quickly put West Chester on their heels. Zach Qian started the festivities a quick goal sixty-five seconds into the period followed less than two minutes later with a goal from Freshman phenom Chris Bugliosi putting Penn up by two quickly in the first. The Rams managed to regroup and get one back at the thirteen-minute mark of the period, but the Quakers couldn’t let that stand unrebuked quickly responding with a goal from Freshman Jacob Qian ninety seconds later with assists from Bugliosi and Assistant Captain Aidan Armaly to put the team up by two goals once again. The offensive outburst didn’t stop there, West Chester was able to find the back of the net once again moving the needle slightly closer making it a one goal game with four minutes left to play in the period, but that effort was short lived. Striking gold twice with less than a minute to play in the first period Assistant Captain Calvin Alifervo put one away with fifty-eight seconds remaining and then off the neutral zone faceoff following the goal Zach Qian barreled down the ice to score his second goal of the game making it a five goal first period for the Quakers and ending the first period with a 5-2 lead. The Quakers are deadly in the first period of games, with this offensive performance that makes a combined 18 goals scored in the first period this season with a goal differential of eleven in the period.
Starting the second period where they left off in the first Penn found their way to the net for another goal less than five minutes into the period with snipe over the left shoulder of West Chester goalie Stoudt by Bugliosi thanks to a great pass from Sophomore Tarazi adding to the Quakers lead and resulting in Stoudt being removed from the game. Stoudt was replaced by netminder Kaklin Matoxek in what seems to be a common occurrence for the teams playing the Quakers this season. Following the goal the game moved into more a steady state with both goaltenders playing well. West Chester was able to capitalize on the power play late into the period narrowing the lead back down to three and ending the scoring for the remainer of the period allowing the Quakers to take a 6-3 lead into the locker room after two periods.
Going into the third period Coach Artosky challenged the team to play lockdown defense and keep the Rams off the scoreboard and the team obliged. The Quakers limited the Ram to ten shots on goal and did not allow a goal in the period. Controlling the puck in the West Chester end for most of the period certainly didn’t hurt their defensive performance either, as they say a best defense is a good offense. Penn was able to find the back of the net two more times in the period, once from Senior Ethan Abraham and once again from Bugliosi making it three on the evening for him and securing his first hattrick of his college career. Freshman goalie Reagan O’Neil was great between the pipes stopping 36 shots on the evening. Riding the wave of an offensive outburst and a solid defensive performance in the third period ultimately lead the Quakers to an 8-3 victory and a great start to the homecoming weekend.
As to what I’m sure will be a shock to everyone, Chris Bugliosi was named MVP of the game with and impressive hattrick and a four point evening. This victory moves the Quakers up to an overall record of 6-2 on the season. Captain Dhruv Raman was quoted as say that there is nothing like being able to win at home in front of our alumni this win was for them.
Next week the Quakers have packed CSCHC schedule with a revival of the “Scuffle on the Schuylkill” against crosstown neighbors in the Drexel Dragons on Friday night at home and then on the road to face the Seton Hall Pirates in West Orange, NJ on Saturday evening. Come out and support the Quakers they look to pick up two league victories! #GoQuakers
You can rewatch the Quakers victory over the Golden Rams HERE!